This
third part of my line documentation regarding the "Waldviertler
Schmalspurbahn" is based on winter images. It completes
part 1 and part
2 dealing with summer and autumn impressions.

During
Advent season several turns between Gmuend and Fassldorf
are scheduled. On 2005, December 4th already a snow
pack was existing. Therefore I could produce this additional
compilation. Scroll down for more information!

Again
we will see loco 699.103 hauling the small train through
the winter environment. Class 699 originally belonged
to a German military transportation system which was
in use during WW2.

Basically class 699 was built with hauled tender carriages.
Even today such original constructions are existing still.
Also here at the wood quarter loco 699.02 with separate tender
was in operation for several years. For geographical orientation
click on the map symbol left!

699.03
was reconstructed to a version with directly attached tender
compartment. When doing that, the loco number was changed
into 699.103. During this reconstruction also the water reservoirs
were extended until the front door.

Today
the engine is owned by the company OeGEG, they are owner and
operator of many historical vehicles. Due to the complete
refurbishment maintenance which was executed in 2000 at a
Romanian locomotive facility, the technical status of the
small steamer is fine today.

People
told, that this engine will remain at Gmuend until the regular
engine 399.03 will be back from general maintenance. This
will probably be in spring 2006. Nevertheless I find, that
699's flat cabin roof makes her looking like toy in front
of trains.

Steam
operation was scheduled for the 2nd Advent Sunday 2005. This day the
ride shall go from Gmuend to Fassldorf. Close after 1:00 pm the engine
starts moving in direction to the coal supply location (12/2005).

As
usual, the procedure works via the conveyor-belt from a coal wagon
placed on an adjacent track. At the right side a turn out signal
is visible, the signal head is mounted on top of an extended bar.
This is necessary in order to make the signal visible even under
snow pack conditions. Later the loco will also get the water tanks
filled up (12/2005).

Click
on preview images for enlarged presentation!

Close
behind the Gmuend station area the tracks to the south and to the
north branch divide. Here we see this location. From this position
the flat cabin roof of 699.103 is visible easily, class 399 optically
fits better with the carriages (12/2005). (top of
page)

The
first part of the line is built in parallel to the highway. It's not
a problem to get a shot like this, here. The position is close to
Dietmanns village (10/2005).

A
similar shot you already know from part 1. In the background the small
village Eichberg is located, the sky colour is a wintery grey (12/2005).

No
mirror images today, the water in the foreground is frozen up. But
this image has its charm too, the train composition a little bit looks
like a silhouette (12/2005). (top of page)

Also
a similar image like this is already known from part 1. The train
in a few moments will enter the course extending bend, which was installed
here in order to easier take the vertical meters up to Weitra station
(12/2005).

Maximum
inclination here is about 22. From the power side the 699.103
easily hauls the well manned train up this slope (12/2005).

The
road to St. Wolfgang is crossed here after leaving the Weitra city
limits. This location makes possible shots with train and castle combined
together (12/2005). (top of page)

The
map once again presents the course of the described line. At the beginning
the 43 kilometres long line roughly follows the Lainsitz creek. Later
the so called "Small Semmering" is taken. This tour ends
at Fassldorf which is located somewhere in the middle of the Small
Semmering ramp at a distance of 26 km.

Between
the St. Martin station and Steinbach Grosspertholz the line follows
the old local highway and the Lainsitz creek. The new valley highway
was built on the opposite valley slope (10/2005).

Close
before approaching the Steinbach Grosspertholz station a wooden bridge
is installed, it's crossing the Lainsitz creek. At 3:40 pm I did this
shot of the arriving special train from this bridge (12/2005). (top
of page)

The
Fassldorf station has been approached. Even here a water crane is
existing, steamers may easily fill up their water resources. The Fassldorf
is an inn, it is located behind the trees visible at the left image
border. Fine hospitality for young and old makes this location attractive
not just during Advent season (12/2005).